Thread tension and controlling device.



J. F. BARTLETT. THREAD TENSION AND CONTROLLING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILEDJUNE 18. 1917.

1 62,002, Patanted Apr. 9, 1918.

JOHN F.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 18, 1917. Serial No. 175,263.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. BARTLETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thread Tension andControlling Devices, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention consists of certain improvements in thread tension andcontrolling devices and relates particularly to such used in the art ofmanual crocheting or knitting.

One object of the invention is to provide a convenient device of thischaracter to be worn upon the fingers of a person when using thread oryarn as above mentioned, whereby the thread or yarn may be kept at auniform tension during its use and that without the conscious attentionof the wearer.

Another object is to provide a novel form of tension device having meanswhereby the thread normally tends to remain adjacent the center o1 theholding means.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the further description ofthe invention.

In the accompanaying drawings forming part of this application and inwhich like reference characters represent like parts;

Figure 1 is an enlarged side elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the center of theadjusting screw.

1 represents the body portion of the device, it being formed preferablyof light metal such as aluminum or the like or of other suitablecomposition and having two circular holes 2 and 3 therethrough, forminga double finger ring designed to be worn upon two adjacent fingers ofthe hand, as for example, the little finger and the one next to it.

The hand upon which the device is worn is that commonly used in holdingthe thread or yarn and is ordinarily the left hand. Upon the upper flatsurface 4 of the body portion is attached the tensioning device whichcomprises a thin metal spring yoke 5, upwardly arched, slidablysupported upon its extreme ends 6 6 through which suitable guiding andholding pins 7 7 pass and are fixed within the body portion 1.

The holes in the ends 6 of the yoke,

through which the pins pass are slightly elongated longitudinally of theyoke to ad'- mit of slight movement of the yoke independently of thepins as when the tensioning device is being adjusted.

The central portion 8 of the yoke is of circular form in plan view anddished downwardly about its center forming a concaved portion andthrough which the snank 9 oi the adjusting thumb screw 10 extends.- Theshank 9 is screw threaded within the body portion 1 and in relation towhich it may be adjusted longitudinally by turning.

Between the hub portion or" the thumb screw 10 and the yoke 5 is mounteda circular concavo-convex washer 11 substantially identical in shape tothe central portion of the yoke 5 and placed with its concaved facetoward that of the yoke 5.

The peripheral edges of the washer l1 and the central portion 8 areflared slightly apart forming a somewhat \l-shaped groove thereabout forready and convenient application of the thread or yarn and thecontacting portions of the washer and yoke being circular in form andconcentric with the shank of the thumb screw and spaced a distancetherefrom. Due to this peculiar construction, the thread, when heldbetween the washer and yoke will normally tend to remain against theshank 9, thus provision is made against the thread being easilydislodged from the device.

By being mounted upon two fingers of the hand simultaneously, no troublewhatever is experienced in keeping the device right side up and it is tobe understood that various modifications of the specific constructionherein shown may be resorted to with out departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

It is obvious that by the longitudinal adjustment of the thumb screw,various sized thread may be held in the device and that any degree oftension desired may be applied thereto.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let ters Patent is 1. A thread tensioning and controllingdevice of the character described, comprising abody portion having twofinger holes therethrough and a fiat smooth upper surface, an upwardlyarched resilient member loosely attached at both ends to the flatsurface of the body portion, and having a circular central Patented Apr.a, 1318. v

portion, a second circular member coacting' of the character described,comprising a body portion having two finger holes therethrough and astraight flat upper surface, an upwardly arched thread engaging memberloosely mounted upon the upper surface of the body portion, pins passingthrough the ends of the arched member and into the body portion, acircular concavo-convex central portion in the arched member, a circularconcavo-convex member cooperating with the like central portion of thearched member and intermediate of which the thread is engaged, and athumbscrew passing through the circular members and into the firstmentioned body portion substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A thread tensioning and holding de-' vice of the character described,comprising a body portion having two finger holes therethrough and astraight fiat upper surface, an upwardly arched hread engaging memberloosely mounted upon the upper surface of the body portion, means at theends of the arched member to permit free longitudinal movement thereof,a circular concaYo-convex central portion in the arched member, acircular concavo-convex member cooperating with the like central portionof the arched member andinte'rmediate of which the thread is engaged anda thum'bscrew passing through the circular member and into the bodyportion, subs antially as and for the purpose described. I s

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

JOHN F. BARTLETT.

Witnesses:

W. H. DUNHAM, S. Geo. STEVENS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

